Oklahoma News and Updates

Oklahoma updates and news.

Press ReleaseJanuary 30, 2013

The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association has provided a number of quick updates.

IMPORTANT SURVEY INFORMATION:OQHRA is working with the HBPA/TRAO and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to conduct a survey on the economic impact of the entire Oklahoma horse industry. In a few short days (around February 1st) OQHRA members will receive an email asking you to participate in the survey and you will also be receiving a letter with the survey included for those who are not able to respond on the internet. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TAKE THE 10 to 15 minutes required to provide the information requested. This survey is so important to show the economic impact of the horse industry, the number of jobs created since the passage of the Gaming Act, and will be an important tool to protect our future when we face the renewal of the gaming compacts or other legislative issues that affect our business.

HORSES MOVING INTO REMINGTON PARK ON FEBRUARY 4THStall assignments are out and the trainers can come in on February 1 to begin setting up their stalls but horses will move in on February 4th. The track is slated to open for training on February 5th.

REVISED SCHOOLING RACE SCHEDULE FOR REMINGTON PARK Bring your valentine to the track next Thursday - it will be an exciting day! The first day of official schooling races has been rescheduled to Thursday February 14. Schoolers must be entered by noon on Monday February 11. If there are sufficient horses to require a second day, it will be Friday February 15. The track is replacing the escalators in the building and the days were rescheduled for this week only to insure the construction clutter on the apron would be completed and cleaned up before the first day of schooling races. All of the remaining schooling races will be conducted on Wednesdays as planned.

GOOD NEWS ON TRACK RENOVATIONS AT REMINGTON PARKRenowned racetrack surface consultant Dennis Moore met with OQHRA directors and track superintendent Bobby Blackburn at Remington Park this past week to share information about the work currently underway to renovate the Remington Park track surface for the Quarter Horse meet. Over 1200 tons of material was added, and Dennis reported he was very pleased with the soil sample analysis reports. The track maintenance department reported they received several new pieces of equipment including a new roller type packing machine, and new roller harrows which will greatly assist in the proper maintenance of the track surface. Track man Bobby Blackburn has been blading, rolling, tilling, and mixing the material for the last couple weeks and is confident the track will be ready for the meet.

PRE-RACE EXAMS FOR HORSES AT REMINGTON IN 2013All graded race participants, finalists to all Futurity and Derby finals, and selected horses in overnight races will be subject to pre-race examination at Remington Park during the upcoming meet. The overnight races to be subject to pre-race examinations will be randomly selected at the conclusion of the draw for that particular race day and posted on the overnight so trainers will know which races must arrive early to the track. All pre-race exam horses must be in their assigned location in the barn area and available for inspection not less than four hours prior to the first post for that race program.

OHRC PROPOSES SEVERAL RULE CHANGESAt the OHRC meeting in January the Commission implemented rule making to adopt several new rules or changes in current rules that will affect horsemen. The changes include a provision to allow the "track or racing veterinarian" to conduct pre-race examinations at the direction of the "official or State Veterinarian or the Stewards;" another change will strengthen the ability of the commission to enforce penalties for trainers that are program training, and prohibit program training for unlicensed or inappropriately licensed individuals. Additionally there will be a clarification that no one at the track can work at an occupation for which they are not properly licensed. (For example, an individual with an owner's license only cannot work as a groom unless also licensed as a groom. An owner's license is only valid for an individual providing care of his/her own horse, not horses owned by any other persons.)

OQHRA LEGISLATIVE STEAK FEEDOQHRA members are encouraged to make reservations now for our annual Legislative Steak Feed at Heritage Place. We will invite every Legislator to come out on Tuesday evening, February 19 and meet horsemen from their district and we will feed everyone a steak dinner for FREE! We want you to come and talk to the elected officials - not just sit and visit with each other! This is a very important event we sponsor each year to help the Legislators realize how important their actions are to our industry.

STALLION BREEDINGS STILL AVAILABLEIf you still have some mares to breed in 2013 be sure to look online at www.oqhrastallionauction.com. There are some breedings still available to some really nice stallions and you can save mone while supporting the work OQHRA does on your behalf. You can also call our office if you have any questions about what is available.